Apple Music’s latest global Up Next artist, Nigerian R&B singer-songwriter Tems, joins LootLove via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about her latest track, “Crazy Tings.” She also discusses her new EP, If Orange Was A Place (Apple Music Up Next Film Edition), staying humble despite her numerous career highlights, her most surprising new fan, and working with artists like Brent Faiyaz and Drake.
Tems on staying humble despite her success
I don't really think everything is because of me. I know that I'm talented and I have a great music sound and I know that I do what I do. But honestly, it's more than that, it's more than just the music and there's so many people involved and honestly God has been in control of everything and I just like to live my life. So I don't even think of it, I just see it as such an exciting life that I'm just enjoying, rather than like trying to control it or take all the credit.
Tems on collaborating with Drake
Honestly, it's unbelievable, literally. When I said I wanted to work with Drake, I just said it. I wasn't thinking about it. I used to listen to Drake all the time when I was in high school and growing up and it was just the first thing that came to my mind. And for me to actually meet him, work with him, it's just crazy. It's crazy and that's a full testament to God's blessings, honestly. I can't quantify how grateful I am, because it's not anything I did, I'm just making music. And it just seems like I'm attracting all these people and I'm just so grateful honestly.
Tems on why she named her new project ‘If Orange Was A Place’
First of all, orange is my favourite fruit. And if you find a very sweet orange and you really dig into it, it's just busting with brightness and like colours and this warmth and it's just a blast of excitement and the word “orange” reminds me of sunset and sunrise, sunset to sunrise, dusk to dawn. And the EP is really the different shades of orange. And it's really the different shades of me.
Tems on her favourite track on the new EP
I think my favourite might be “Vibe Out.” Because when I listened to it, I'm singing it in such a way that I never have before. And it's like a ginger. It just makes you want to get up and go. It's like a get ready song. Yeah. I love it. It takes you into another place. It's like how sunset feels. It's like the perfect song when the sun is setting and yeah, it's vibes.
Tems on R&B legend Maxwell being her most surprising new fan
Recently? I did have Maxwell comment on one of my videos and also he put me on his story at some point. That was very surprising to me, for him to message me. That was crazy.
Tems on how she is feeling right now after the successes of the past year
I feel awesome, it's been incredible. It's been such an amazing year. It's been such an amazing time and honestly, I'm so grateful. I am so excited most importantly, for everything that's coming. Sometimes I can't believe it, but I'm so grateful and I'm just taking everything in. I’m blessed, and we thank God. I'm just so excited.
Tems on working with Brent Faiyaz on the song “Found” from her new EP
Brent is such an amazing artist. “Found” is what's going through my mind in the midst of opinions and in the midst of people trying to reflect their own insecurities on me and get into my business. It's me just talking about that and how I found myself. So I don't need to be confused by anything that anybody says and I'm ready for whatever. And Brent is really just saying, “Let's take it slow and let's not even think about them, let's just be us. Just be me and you.”
Tems on where she hopes to be this time next year
Somewhere across the world, performing, recording, vibing, doing what I do best and even better.
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